Encaustic Workshop Review, Part 1

Earlier this month I was fortunate to attend a two-day workshop at R&F Paints in Kingston, New York. It was led by Kelly McGrath, who is R&F’s Director of Education. Kelly’s so knowledgeable and very easygoing… it was a wonderful two days and I came away energized and ready to explore more with encaustics!

That’s Kelly above, showing a pouring/embedding technique with findings from the woods. I checked with Kelly to make sure it was okay to share the photo collage I created of her demo. I believe it’s the right thing to do when you take a class to ask the instructor before posting online.

Many of us make our living from teaching and if someone comes to class and then shares all they learned in that class with friends or online, it’s just not right. Kelly was fine with my 4-photo collage and hopes it will incite others to Go Encaustic!

Here’s my first attempt. I used Ampersand encausticbord and a pad of patterned paper from 7 Gypsies. The paper on the left is wrapped in tape and I poured too much wax, but that’s where the learning comes in.

It was fun to be able to experiment with no particular results in mind. I enjoyed the process and made two more (we had lots of time to experiment on our own in between lessons, plus we had free access to all of R&F’s mediums, paints, and tools.)

A post-Thanksgiving walk led to my finds… all sorts of dried/drying grasses. I was lucky to attend an intensive workshop at R&F last year so I’ve had some experience with encaustics, but this was a fabulous refresher and I learned a great deal more.

This one is 5 X 7.

This one is 4 X 6.

This one is 8 X 10.

The 7 Gypsies patterned paper pad I used had the black/white patterns reversed. I really liked the contrast. And this is so outside-my-box of (usually vibrant/layered) color. I love learning!

If you get the chance to attend a workshop at R&F Paints, I highly recommend you do. In fact I made so much in those two days, that there will be two more posts about it down the road.

I’m in love with the creations in this post… gorgeous natural elements and beautiful waxy finishes. I’m off to Google R&F Paints right now to see if there’s any chance of going to a workshop when I’m over in the spring! Fabulous inspirational post.
Alison xx

I have been fascinated by encaustic art for a few years; ever since I saw an artist demo the technique. I love the ethereal quality of it. I am so tempted to take a class myself, Marjie. I love what you created.